Research Projects

This Excellence project is taking profit of the previous experience of the group TEP-217 in the development and characterization of functionalized biocompatible nanoparticles and potentially trying to advance in four directions. a) Continue with the development of nanoparticle based mainly on Au, Ag and magnetic oxides with different functionalizations and microstructure. b) To deepen the physical-chemical interaction with electromagnetic fields (in a wide range of frequencies from kHz to GHz) to produce local heating. Currently, various mechanisms have been proposed (Eddy current, hysteresis, relaxation of magnetic moments and Brownian motion) without enough data yet existing to understand and interpret the experimental results. c) Establish a multidisciplinary collaboration with the group RNM-306, a specialist in ecotoxicity testing, to improve the knowledge of the environmental impact of nanoparticles (mainly gold and silver) in marine ecosystems, which are the ultimate sink for a good part of nanomaterials currently produced. d) Conduct preliminary studies of the toxicity of nanoparticles as a function of applied magnetic field. In any project dedicated to nanotechnology is extremely valuable to introduce studies to determine the toxicological and environmental impact of new materials being developed at present. A key objective of this project is the training of research personnel through the implementation of one doctoral thesis at the Institute of Materials Science of Seville.

FUNCOAT is an integrated project within the application call CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 aiming at the exploitation of synergies existing in the Spanish scientific community, with the general objective of developing principles, processes and devices related to the surface functionalisation of materials. The project integrates 14 well-accredited research centres covering from fundamental and theoretical aspects to final applications. This large effort of integration is critical to achieve substantial advances in this broad field, which go beyond the mere accumulation of results. The research teams belong to different institutions: University, CSIC (responsible for the management of the project) and Technological centres. They maintain scientific relationships among them that extend over the last 15 years. Specific scientific and technological objectives are: understanding of fundamental phenomena driving the modification of surfaces and interfaces, control of the micro- and nano- structure of surfaces and thin films, optimization of thin film deposition methods, process development of multifunctional surfaces for novel applications (mechanical and metallurgical, optical, magnetic, energy, biomaterials, etc) and, finally, the production of new devices based on functionalised surfaces. Other important objectives include the technological transfer of the scientific results to the productive sectors as well as the education and training of scientists, young researchers and engineers. Strategic sectors of our modern society where the activities of FUNCOAT find a direct impact are material processing, energy, environment, health care, agriculture, etc. In order to accomplish an efficient coordination of efforts and the integration of the activities of all the groups, the project is structured around six workpackages: A) Fundamental phenomena in surfaces, interfaces and thin films, B) New processes for the control of the micro- and nano- structure of films and surfaces, C) Mechanical and metallurgical coatings for surface protection, D) Chemical functionalisation and biomedical applications, E) Coatings for optical control, photonic applications and solar energy collection and F) Novel magnetic phenomena in surfaces/interfaces.